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Matt Centrowitz, Jr., with his wins at the NCAA 1,500m, then, the USA Outdoor 1,500m, and finally, the bronze medal at the 2011 World Champs 1,500 meters, cemented himself as one of the most sought after athletes in the United States. Is he staying at Oregon? Was he going pro? Inquiring minds wanted to know.

Well, Matt Centrowitz, Jr., answered that question with this press release. A nicely toned release, Matt thanks his coaches, teammates and staff at the University of Oregon, and announced that he was going professional and foregoing the last year of NCAA elgibility. One surmises that Mr. Centrowitz will be worth a hefty number of Benjamins.

Matt Centrowitz, Jr. will be represented by Pace Sports Management's Ricky Simms, who represents Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, and a host of others!

London, 29th November 2011 -

World
1500m bronze medalist Matthew Centrowitz today announced that he will
turn professional and forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility. The
University of Oregon miler had a breakout season in 2011 winning the
NCAA 1500m title, USATF 1500m title and the 1500m bronze medal in the
IAAF T&F Championships in Daegu, becoming the youngest ever American
to medal in the event. Prior to his 2011 success the 22 year old won
three Pac 10 titles and was part of the University of Oregon's memorable
1-2-3 1500m sweep in the 2010 NCAA T&F Championships. He currently
holds the University of Oregon school records in the 1500m and Distance
Medley Relay and was the first UO undergrad since Steve Prefontaine to
win a USATF Outdoor Championship.

"I
am very grateful to the University of Oregon and the coaching staff for
all they have done for me. This important decision has taken me a
couple of months to decide on but a decision I feel that is best for me
in reaching my upcoming goals", said Matthew from his base in Eugene
where he will stay to complete his sociology major.

Matthew will be represented by PACE Sports Management, the UK based athlete management company headed by RickySimms.
PACE Sports Management's roster includes triple Olympic Champion Usain
Bolt, triple World Champion Vivian Cheruiyot, World Champions Mo Farah,
Linet Masai, Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu & Jana Pittman. "We
are honored and delighted to work with Matthew and help continue his
development as a professional athlete. Matthew was extremely impressive
in 2011 and has the ability to be a major force in the event for years
to come", commented Simms.

Matthew
is the son of Matt Centrowitz Sr., a two time Olympian, four times US
Champion and also a former University of Oregon track star. Looking to
the future, Matthew commented "I am excited to be working with PACE
Sports Management who will help me take the right steps in qualifying
for the U.S Olympic Team and winning a medal in the Olympic Games in
London".

Bio: Larry Eder has had a 44 year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub 4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Track & Field to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts and RunBlogRun.
Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says:
"I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself."